Rail joining clamps....
- Thread starter Mez
- Start date
I've used some of these to good effect
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/split-jaw-rail-clamps-223-c.asp
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/over-the-joiner-clamps-2496-p.asp < Link To
![over-the-joiner-clamps-2496-p[ekm]106x80[ekm].jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragon-gscale.co.uk%2Fekmps%2Fshops%2Fdragongscale%2Fimages%2Fover-the-joiner-clamps-2496-p%5Bekm%5D106x80%5Bekm%5D.jpg&hash=1733a6f2625d259e6ae4ee13b7164fe3)
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/split-jaw-rail-clamps-223-c.asp
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/over-the-joiner-clamps-2496-p.asp < Link To
Cheers for that link.
Are they the ones that go round the fishplate?
And... Why did you pick that type?
Steve
Are they the ones that go round the fishplate?
And... Why did you pick that type?
Steve
yes they do fit over the fishplate
- and that's why I picked this make because you don't have to dismantle the track to fit them
also they are available from Jeremy, who is not far away, and a good supplier
and you can get insulated ones, and ones to use not over fishplates, if you see what I mean
not very cheap, but effective
- and that's why I picked this make because you don't have to dismantle the track to fit them
also they are available from Jeremy, who is not far away, and a good supplier
and you can get insulated ones, and ones to use not over fishplates, if you see what I mean
not very cheap, but effective
Cheers Paul.
Think i will be going for th non fishplate ones as i have no layout yet.
Effectiveness is what im after.
Think i will be going for th non fishplate ones as i have no layout yet.
Effectiveness is what im after.
no problem
good luck with the layout
joints on straights should be ok with fishplates alone, if you use LGB paste or similar (if using rail power)- saves a few bob
- and ok on bends if not under tension
good luck with the layout
joints on straights should be ok with fishplates alone, if you use LGB paste or similar (if using rail power)- saves a few bob
- and ok on bends if not under tension
Hi Steve,
my preference is for Aristocraft track because you screw the fishplate to the rail and this makes quite an effective electrical connection. Most of my track has been down four or five years and the only rail joints I have any probs with (and it is only a couple anyway) is on the LGB track. I didn't use any conductive paste - maybe I should have done.
Mick
my preference is for Aristocraft track because you screw the fishplate to the rail and this makes quite an effective electrical connection. Most of my track has been down four or five years and the only rail joints I have any probs with (and it is only a couple anyway) is on the LGB track. I didn't use any conductive paste - maybe I should have done.
Mick
Mez said:
Hi Steve
I too use Split Jaw rail clamps. I've tried others (Hillman and AML), but find them much less easy to use, quite simply because there is inherently less flexibility of movement in the other brands. Whichever brand you choose, buy a purpose-designed "hex driver" (i.e. a screwdriver with a hexagonal end) to tighten the bolts. Using an Allen key on rail clamps tends to lead to scarred paws.
The problem in the UK is getting hold of Split Jaw clamps. Jeremy has been out of stock for a while and some other stores advertising them don't have them as normal stock items either, as I found out recently.
Depending on how many you need, it can be worth ordering direct from the USA, though the weight of parcel and any taxes payable need to be factored in. You can order here: http://www.railclamp.com/
trammayo said:
I have to agree with Mick. The Aristo set up is great. If a bad connection ever occures all youneed to do is tighten the screws or loosen then retighten. For turnouts I use the Aristo rail clamps. I chose these because of the affordablity when compared to slit Jaw etc....
I have used both Split Jaw and AML.
Initially, I liked Split Jaw best but having used many more AML, I find them easy, fast and reliable. They're smaller so disappear into my ballast better. Importantly they are also cheaper, and with their recent special offers, have been very good value.
I do have Split Jaw tool, which is OK, but I use an allen key in my electric screwdriver for the AML ones and that is perfect.
I have used the Split Jaw over-fishplate clamps but didn't see any benefit, so stopped using them.
Initially, I liked Split Jaw best but having used many more AML, I find them easy, fast and reliable. They're smaller so disappear into my ballast better. Importantly they are also cheaper, and with their recent special offers, have been very good value.
I do have Split Jaw tool, which is OK, but I use an allen key in my electric screwdriver for the AML ones and that is perfect.
I have used the Split Jaw over-fishplate clamps but didn't see any benefit, so stopped using them.
I use Hillmans, a few split jaw, and an even smaller number of the Massoth ones.
I much prefer the Hillmans they fit so much better, designed specifically for the track you are using so I have some of the ones to fit LGB and also some designed for Tenmille. I use the split jaw heavy duty power connectors because Hillmans don't make anything comparable. The Massoth ones don't seem to hold the track as securely as the others. Don't go for the over fishplate versions, the fishplates are easy to remove and the clamps work better without the fishplate. I have some of the isolating Hillmans ones, but I think these would be better if they had an integral plastic bit to keep the rails apart, rather than rely on a sperate insulator being used. For isolating the Massoth ones aren't bad.
You do need to get the ball drivers offered for sale with the clamps, they are imperial sizes and hard to find separately in the UK. Also unfortunately Hillmans and Split Jaw use different sizes.
The majority of mine were ordered directly from the States but I've not had to buy any since Hillmans sold out to Silvergate.
Hope that helps, ask if you need anything more.
I much prefer the Hillmans they fit so much better, designed specifically for the track you are using so I have some of the ones to fit LGB and also some designed for Tenmille. I use the split jaw heavy duty power connectors because Hillmans don't make anything comparable. The Massoth ones don't seem to hold the track as securely as the others. Don't go for the over fishplate versions, the fishplates are easy to remove and the clamps work better without the fishplate. I have some of the isolating Hillmans ones, but I think these would be better if they had an integral plastic bit to keep the rails apart, rather than rely on a sperate insulator being used. For isolating the Massoth ones aren't bad.
You do need to get the ball drivers offered for sale with the clamps, they are imperial sizes and hard to find separately in the UK. Also unfortunately Hillmans and Split Jaw use different sizes.
The majority of mine were ordered directly from the States but I've not had to buy any since Hillmans sold out to Silvergate.
Hope that helps, ask if you need anything more.
Another thing, don't overtighten the screws, do them hand tight, certainly don't use a mechanical driver of any sort.
The screws will bend, and possibly break. The 'head' of the screw can be damaged and it may not be possibly to easily remove and reuse the clamps. This is particularly so with the Split Jaw types, but not quite so true with the better designed Hillmans, even so don't overtighten the Hillmans. Do check for any lose screws once a year, but with the Hillmans it is rare to find any.
The screws will bend, and possibly break. The 'head' of the screw can be damaged and it may not be possibly to easily remove and reuse the clamps. This is particularly so with the Split Jaw types, but not quite so true with the better designed Hillmans, even so don't overtighten the Hillmans. Do check for any lose screws once a year, but with the Hillmans it is rare to find any.